KSA adopts animal welfare guidelines

(MENAFN- Arab News) Saudi Arabia has developed an animal welfare system of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries in which animal abusers face fines and have their names published in the media. According to the system, animals must be kept in a safe place, be provided suitable facilities and the necessary living conditions to accommodate them, Al-Hayat daily newspaper said. The system stipulates that there must be a sufficient number of qualified employees who have the ability, knowledge and professional competence in matters related to animal welfare. Workers must check the conditions of the animal at least once a day. The violators of the provisions will be fined a minimum of SR50,000, which will be doubled following each incident until the penalty reaches SR200,000. The animal facility could face closure and permanent cancellation of licenses if the offenses are repeated more than four times during the same year. Punishments shall be published in two local newspapers. One publication should be in the region where the offender resides and at his own expense following a verdict by the Board of Grievances. A three-member committee to be formed by the Minister of Agriculture will look into violations and will have the right to issue penalties. The penalties, which are normally approved by the minister, could be appealed to the Board of Grievances. The system spells out guidelines on how to organize public shows or competitions for animals for commercial purposes.